Category: Updates

I’ve been struggling with letting go of my things. Because some time ago when I pulled the parachute on the Corporate life. I Made a choice to make the switch from the western idea of “keeping up with the Joneses” to fully embracing what I’d been contemplating for quite a while. I’ve always considered myself a different kind of thinker and have read many different religious, philosophical and Buddhist texts. I had long tried to question myself and my motivations. I question my judgment and thoughts for many good reasons. People don’t do this enough. This is why if I’m asked what I believe in? My answer is Buddism and Science. Because Introspective questioning makes them go together quite well. but that’s for another post.

When I made that choice I was fully ready to let go of all attachments to our greedy and selfish society and walk the earth so to speak. When my kids were on their own of course.

Well, they’re now on their own and I have made a leap away from any safety of my home and things. I’m away from the familiar. I now stand on the edge of truely letting all my things go and I have hesitated. I know I will get past it. This should be very soon I hope.

I struggle with getting the most of the things I am letting go or simply sending them away to benefit others with no gain to me. striking the balance is what I’m meditating on lately.

I feel like I’ve made great progress with this in regard to career and social status. To the point of feeling sorry, on occasion, for those that dwell on such things as the shiny new car and bigger house with more stuff in it.

It’s my stuff that is causing my frustrations currently. It all needs to go.

On letting go of our perceived status

Do we need all that crap that we think is so important? NO.

Do we need to make more money than our neighbors? NO.

Do we need all the extra payments that make us have to work for all that extra income? NO.

Why do I feel this way? Because anything you covet can be lost. It’s true freedom to have nothing to lose.

“You only lose what you cling to” – The Buddha

I know I can get a job doing what I choose pretty much anywhere. I am multi-talented and somewhat autodidactic, so I fear no change or challenges.

This is sometimes misread by others as apathetic and even as hostility. Bosses and colleges seem to doubt it or feel I can’t be counted on in a year or two. That an employee that isn’t afraid to quit is a liability, or maybe I’ve just lost my mind.

To this, I try to respond with a reassuring, “If we both still find our relationship or arrangement satisfying it isn’t a concern, I’ll be here, but if we see signs that we or the arrangements are no longer mutually compatible it would suggest that I should seek challenges elsewhere. I have no attachment to feelings of sorrow about this and will look back on the time with pleasant feelings. Do I want our situation to go on? Yes, for as long as possible. ” For me, this is a true feeling of freedom and openness. Nothing more. It’s wonderful to openly discuss what others often hide.

“This makes me your most honest employee because I want to be here but I don’t need to be here. Is honesty what you want?” – (me) Chris Hoffman

This freedom I feel to ask questions some are afraid to ask, to speak my mind, to talk to that elephant in the room directly, to ask academic questions for the sake of open discussion. To speak to all with transparency and honesty. I love it. I have no need to consider the repercussions of losing a job as I’m sure I can get another pretty quickly,

I’m happier now at a third of the pay I used to receive than I ever was before. Not that more $ would hurt, but it comes with the ability to buy ourselves distractions that only add complexity to our lives.

We all go through rough spots now and again, and I’ve certainly had my share of ups and downs. So I thought I would share the things I remind myself of when I’m paying my dues so to speak. Here’s 5 things to consider when you’re struggling with something and feel stuck.

We may not be able to control a situation, but we are in charge of our reaction to the situation. this is key because our brains turn off when we get frustrated or angry. so staying calm will aid in making better decisions.

We’ve been through rougher things than this, and still made it. The situation is tough, but so are we. In fact we are tougher. Don’t let your self doubt get the best of you. You got this.

I ask myself “What do I need to learn to solve this?” or “What do I need to to learn from this?” This is a way to get ourselves back on the solution seeking mindset and continue the progress forward. Regardless of our ego’s we should get comfortable with the fact that we don’t know everything, even in our field of expertise. Challenges are opportunities to learn and become better or more educated about ourselves.

Meditate on it. I ride my bike. do what you do to be at peace with yourself. Quiet your mind and have some alone time. Once you have had some mental silence you can get back to it. What is that next one thing that can move this along.

Keep moving forward. even a small break to take a breath and collect yourself. Then Continue the forward movement. Take one step at a time and do the next right thing.

You got this, keep moving, You’ll look back on this and and be glad you made it through later.

Here’s an update on the progress of my transition from an IT Office to the part time bike shop life. Things are going great at the shop. Things are coming back to me pretty quickly and I’m having a blast learning new things and fixing bikes, getting to know the regulars and all the new technology that has been added to bicycles in the last 15 years. By the end of week 1, I completed the “Trek Ninja” Certification and was given a few nice very gifts from Trek for doing so. I’ll review those soon.

This week was really busy, I managed to finish off the remaining sessions for a “Trek Road Scholar” and “Trek Dirt Scientist” Diplomas and 2 Shimano S-T.E.C. certifications for “Wheel and Hub” and the Electric “S.T.E.P.S. Drivetrain”. I also started working on the “Mountain drivetrain” classes too. after the remaining 170 Shimano modules and the remaining 100 or so Trek modules I’ll start the Specialized, Thule, Ascend, Pearl Izumi, QBP, Saris classes and certifications, the goal being to get as many bike industry related certs under my belt quickly so I can focus on other parts of my “midlife crisis plan“.

I took a ride on the rail trial last week because the temp was a balmy 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it was the maiden voyage for my new Cannondale Caadx 105 Cyclocross bike, it’s really peppy and quick. The trail was wet and dirty so it was a good ride for the bike. I may not need a hard-tail Mountain bike any more (Ha Ha!)

Week 3 is almost over and things are great, I’ve ordered a bunch of tools to restock my tool box and I’ve been drooling over which bike I’ll get with the special Ninja Discount. and shopping for the rims and hubs I’ll be using on the wheels I’m building for my bike.

Send me your comments or email me your suggestions for a set of road hubs and rims you think I should use on my wheelset build.

I’ll be making another update soon. Keep spinning, and Enjoy the ride!